Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-26

WORK IN pehaif or humanity. Fifth, the II
carnation teaches the surprising glory an
power of the redeemed life. The incsrns
ton pre6gures regeneration. .In Him wa
life" HE that the Son hath life;" Ito a
many as received Him gave he the power I
become the sons of God, were born not o
blood, nor of the will of man, but of God.
These are ''predestinated to be conformed 3
the image of His Son that He might be tn
first born among many brethren" Thos
who receive Jesus Christ are born ''again" 0
the spirit into His life, aud their salvation i
being made like Him. Thus His triumphan
life, conquering even the powers of death
coming forth in the resurrection of glory,
the life which is in Him for all who believ,
on his name.
The INCoMrARABLE JKsUs.
AT the Unitarian church the pastor, Rev
Mr.. Thatcher, with the above subjec
preached from the following text:
Matt. 81 10. IAN the city was moved
saying who is thisg"
This question has been asked thousand
times but has never been satisfactorily aus
wered. The Roman Catholic will say Jesu,
was this, the evangelical Protestant, he was
that the Unitarian, he was something totally
different. Each little sect says, we have thu
right view of Jesus, and all the others arr
wrong. The anxious inquirer does MOI
know which to believe. How comes il thai
there are SO many different ideas as to wha
Jesus is? Christians have departed from
the simplicity which is in Jesus. Instead
of drinking the living water at the fountain
head they go to the river where it is pollut-
ed by the many tributaries that have flowed
into it. There is not an evangelical church in
existence that can state its creed in the
words of Jesus. They all prefer the def
nitions of councils to the gospel
Every man has many compeers. Jesus
stands alone in all history. There is only
one Jesusg He was pre-emin emily fair,
beautiful, and perfect man. Gods idea of
man realized. His nature developed under
the limitations of humanity. His mind
grew in culture-knowledge now more, now
less imperfect. He was true to what is in
you and me. at behooved him in all things
to be like unto his brethren" He was temp
ted as we are. He had the finest, most SEN
sitive soul that ever looked through human
eyes, and suffered so intensely that his heart
was broken. Yet in the midst of it all he
Taught the world to go down on its knees and
say "Our Father who art in heaven" In
every nation his truth shines like the moon
light, and beneath it, flowers of virtue bloom.
Though it has been twisted into every kind
of creed and cast, into the contorted mouds
Of dozen different philosophers, yet we
still listen to its sweet music to which the
ages keep time, and man ever marches to a
blessed destiny.
Though we have in the reports of him only
three words in the language he spoke, and
only four in the Hebrew, yet his spirit is
sufficiently photographed to enable us to see
that he created new type of manhood SO
absolutely original that no other man has
ever resembed him, yet so true that men
have said if a man is ever to be perfect he
must be as Jesus was. We look to him as
the sailor looks to his guiding star. God is
best known through him. The God he
could love so well cannot be heartless
God. Jesus has made loveless God I'M
possible. Let his God become our God, aud
faith in him will refresh us like spri
flowers, and woods, and streams. The hom-
age paid to Jesus is an indication of the
faith of man in his own higher nature.
Ar THE FREE BAPTIST
AT the Free Baptist church, Rev. J. b
Jordan, the pastor, preached a short sermon
to the children, taking as his text Romans
s ;32. "He that spered not His own Son, but
delivered Him up for us all, how shall he
not with Him also freely give us all things?'
Thh pastor said that there are many gift,
from our heavenly Father which are be.
slowed irrespective Of our attitude toward,
Him; life, the sun which shines upon al
alike, the rain and dew which descends upor
the just and unjust, the fruits of the eartl
and the beauties about us, all come from Hi
hand, for "every good and perfect gift il
from above, from the Father of lights, will
whom is no varableness, neither shadow OF
turning and it is God who ''giveth to al
life, and breath and all things" There ar
special gifts of grace which are conditione,
upon our relation with Christ; they are be
slowed with Him. And unless we have Hin
we cannot possess the gifts. Among then
are mentioned redemption and forgiveness o.
sins, eternal life, portion Of which is secure
and at last home with Him in glory, 70
"He has gone to prepare a place." for Hi
chrildren. And Gods gift of the best tina
heaven could offer, His "only begotton son,
is His pledge of the lesser gifts if He spare
not this, but freely gave Him for US, He vii
with Him. bestow all things. And thes
rich gifts of grace are for all, the poor an
rich, the old and young. If our heavenl
Father has so freely given us the commo
gifts of life, and offered us the rich gifts Q
His grace, our love should go out toward
Him, and we should accept from His han
what He offers.
After this short talk to the children, tn
pastor presented for brief time, fe
thoughts regarding the true spirit Of Chri
tian giving; showed the scriptural rule, II
right conception of property, the effect {
willing offerings for the service Of the Lord
house, and the results of such giving, an
then mentioned the factthat there were som
s4o0 needed to fully pay the deficiency Of Ii
parish, and then called for pledges. In
short time the congregation pledged near
or quite $500, which will close the year vii
every dollar of debt provided for, and mo
beside. II was an occasion Of much rejoi
ing, all entering heartily into the work.
Ar THE CoSeREGATIoSAL CHURCH.
John I6 .2s. ~ came out from the Faith
and am come into the world again; lea
the world and go unto the Father" II